Outlet-box construction



A. POLHEMUS OUTLET BOX CONSTRUCTION Dec. 16, 1924. 1,519,927

Filed June 10, 1922 INVENTOR A E bert SP0 l/hem s 4 TTORN E Y8 PatentedDec. 15, 1924. j

UNITED STATES risen ALBERT POLHEMUS, F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

OUTLET-BOX CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed June 10, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT PoLirnMUs, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of NewJersey, have invented a new and Improved Outlet-Box Construction, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to an outlet box construction, and has for anobject the provision of such a box construction as will adapt itself forvery ready insertion in a wall, ceiling or the like.

Another object resides in the provision of means in connection with theordinary outlet box construction which will enable any workman, skilledor not, to quickly and easily fasten the box in position flush with thedesired surface, such as the surface of the plaster on a wall.

A further object resides in the particular construction and arrangementof parts which are hereinafter described and claimed and shown in theaccompanying drawings.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, of which Figure 1 is afront elevation of the box.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the box.

Fig. 3 is a transverse horizontal section taken on the line 83 of Fig.1.

The form of the invention shown in the drawings is a preferred form,although it is understood that modifications in the construction andarrangement of the parts and in the character of the materials used maybe adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention.

One of the great difliculties experienced in the handling of outletboxes and the installation of these boxes in walls, ceilings, etc.,resides in the lack of ready adj ustability of these boxes to variousconstructions. Where different types of lathing and differentthicknesses of plaster are used, it is sometimes difficult to readilyinsert a box so that its open face will be flush with the plaster. It isto eliminate these difficulties that I have conceived the simple andreadily adjustable device, forming an improvement Serial No. 567,238.

over the ordinary type of outlet box, which is hereinafter described andclaimed.

The invention is usually adapted to be used in connection with an outletbox which it is desired to support from a fixed support, such as a lath1, and in proper relative position with respect to any desired thickness of plaster 2. The box is an open-ended. box 3 of usual constructionhaving fiat flanges 4 generally disposed flush with the surface of theplaster 2 so that cover plates can be attached thereto to cover theopening in which the box is disposed. Preferably, to opposite sides ofthe box I fasten a movable plate 5 having a slot 6 embracing anadjustable screw 7 which can be tightened or loosened to clamp the plate5 in any desired position or release it for sliding movement along thesurface of the box. It is understood that there are two of these plates5 disposed, preferably, on opposite sides of the box. Each of the plates5 is provided with a plurality of projecting portions or fingers such as9, 10, 11 and 12. These fingers are preferably bent out of the metal ofthe plate 5 itself and are adapted to project through slots 13 and 14E.These slots are preferably parallel and formed in the side walls of thebox 3. In the form shown in the drawings there are four fingersprojecting from each plate, two from each side of each plate. Forinstance, the lingers 9 and 10 projecting from one side of the plate 5are spaced apart a desired distance to grip the lathing 1 therebetween.After this engagement of the fingers with the lathing is effected, thescrew 7 can be inserted and tightened to clamp the plate with respect tothe body portion. The body portion has, of course, in the meantime beenadjusted so that the flanges 4 are dis- 9O posed substantially flushwith the surface of the plaster 2. It will be observed that by entirelyremoving the screw 7 the plate 5 can be taken out of the box, which canthen r be used in the ordinary manner if desired. It is a simple matter,however, when it is desired to use these slidable plates 5, to insertthe respective fingers in their proper slots, properly associate themwith the lathing, and then slide the box along until the box and havingslots thereon, screws mountt ed on the box and having heads extendingthrough said slots for adjusting the position of the plates in said box,said box having slots adjacent said plates, and a pair of fingers oneach plate extending through the respective slots to engage With anysuitable supports, such as lathing or plaster.

ALBERT POLHEMUS.

